#HLH Rapid

[hlhrapidlimited]

Everything You Need to Know About Bead Blast Finish in Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is a modern manufacturing method used to create physical models from digital designs.

Here’s a quick view of what is rapid prototyping:

By utilizing methods like 3D printing, CNC machining, or vacuum casting, it allows engineers and designers to transform CAD files into prototypes within hours or days. This process speeds up product development by allowing for repeated adjustments, testing, and improvements at a lower cost.

Rapid prototyping supports the evaluation of a product’s design, fit, and functionality before committing to full-scale production. It is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics to enhance innovation and reduce development time.

When it comes to rapid prototyping, choosing the right surface finish can make a big difference in the look and feel of your part. One popular option is the - bead blast finish, known for providing a smooth, matte surface. But what exactly is it, and why is it so commonly used in prototyping?

What is Bead Blast Finish?

Bead blasting is a surface treatment process that uses small, round particles (or "beads") to gently wear away the top layer of a material. The beads are typically made of glass, plastic, or metal, and they are blasted at the material's surface using high pressure. This results in a -matte finish, that is smooth to the touch, free from shiny spots or uneven textures.

In rapid prototyping, bead blasting is usually applied after parts are machined or 3D-printed to improve their appearance and feel.

Key Benefits of Bead Blast Finish

1. Smooth, Matte Surface: The main appeal of bead blasting is the sleek, non-reflective finish it provides. This can make parts look more professional and less rough compared to raw, untreated surfaces.

2. Removes Imperfections: Prototyped parts may have light imperfections or tool marks. Bead blasting helps to smooth out these blemishes, creating a more uniform surface.

3. Improves Grip: Bead blasting can also enhance the texture, providing a slight grip which is useful for prototypes of products that will be handled frequently.

4. Wide Material Compatibility: This finish can be applied to a variety of materials commonly used in prototyping, including metals like aluminum and steel, as well as plastics.

How is Bead Blasting Used in Rapid Prototyping?

After a prototype is made, whether by CNC machining, 3D printing, or injection molding, the surface may not always meet aesthetic or functional requirements. That’s where bead blasting comes in. Here's a simple breakdown of the process:

1. Preparation: The part is cleaned and prepared for blasting. Any delicate or critical areas may be masked off to prevent unnecessary wear.

2. Blasting: Beads are shot at the part’s surface at high pressure. The size and type of beads, as well as the pressure used, can be adjusted based on the material and desired outcome.

3. Post-Blast Finishing: Once blasting is done, the part is cleaned to remove any remaining media. Depending on the part’s purpose, additional finishes like anodizing or painting may be applied afterward.

In rapid prototyping, the bead blast finish is a valuable tool for creating smooth, attractive parts quickly and affordably. It’s a versatile method that works on various materials and can transform rough prototypes into presentation-ready products. Whether you’re working with metals or plastics, bead blasting is a finishing technique worth considering for your next prototype.

If you’re prototyping a part and want it to have that professional matte look, bead blasting could be the perfect finishing touch!

If you have questions about rapid prototyping or bead blasting, you may contact us at info@hlhrapid.com or simply submit your CAD file here: https://hlhrapid.com/instant-quote/

[drkarunakumar]

How to Spot HLH Disease?

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe condition where the immune system becomes overactive, attacking the body’s tissues. Early identification is crucial to prevent rapid progression and severe illness. This guide outlines the symptoms and early warning signs of HLH, helping you understand when to seek medical attention.

What is Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis?

HLH is a disorder where the immune system attacks healthy cells, causing excessive inflammation and tissue damage. It can be inherited (Primary) or acquired (Secondary) and often resembles severe infections or inflammatory conditions.

Types of HLH

Primary (Familial) HLH: Genetic, diagnosed in infants and young children.

Secondary (Acquired) HLH: Triggered by infections, autoimmune diseases, or cancers, and can occur at any age.

Symptoms of HLH

HLH symptoms can be nonspecific and similar to other conditions. Key symptoms include:

Fever: Persistent high fever, unresponsive to treatment.

Fatigue and Weakness: Extreme tiredness and difficulty performing daily tasks.

Enlarged Liver and Spleen: Abdominal swelling and palpable organs.

Rash: Red or purplish skin spots, usually non-itchy.

Swollen Lymph Nodes: Tender lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.

Neurological Symptoms: Persistent headaches, seizures, and mental changes.

Early Warning Signs of HLH

Recognizing early signs can be lifesaving:

Persistent High Fever: Lasts more than a week, unresponsive to medication.

Fatigue and Loss of Appetite: Sudden fatigue and weight loss.

Unusual Bruising or Bleeding: Easy bruising and frequent nosebleeds.

Abdominal Pain and Swelling: Discomfort and swelling, especially in the upper left side.

Neurological Symptoms: Persistent headaches, confusion, and seizures.

When to Seek Medical Attention?

Seek medical help if you notice severe and persistent symptoms, rapid symptom progression, or multiple HLH symptoms simultaneously. High-risk groups, including those with a family history of HLH or underlying conditions, should be particularly vigilant.

Wrapping Up

Early detection of HLH is crucial for effective treatment. Recognize the symptoms and seek timely medical help to avoid severe complications. Awareness and prompt action can make a significant difference in managing HLH effectively. If you notice persistent or severe symptoms, consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Read the full blog here.

[hlhproto]

Empowering Connectivity: HLH’s Role in Advancing Communication Technologies

Communication technologies are crucial to daily life. As products such as smartphones, laptops, audio devices, gaming consoles, and others evolve, so do manufacturing solutions that support this connectivity. HLH Proto leads in this area with its CNC rapid prototyping solutions.

HLH understands the importance of communication products and is committed to staying updated on industry developments and practices. The company has collaborated with leading industry figures and is known for delivering precise, high-quality results swiftly and economically. You can rely on HLH Proto for the most effective prototyping and manufacturing technologies for your projects.

Top applications

Over the years, HLH Proto has supported communication companies by helping them build their housing and enclosures. The company has extensive experience in making custom prototypes and precision parts, whether one or up to 100,000 pieces. Its CNC rapid prototyping solutions also help make cutting-edge smart devices with complex parts and designs.

Advancing communication technologies

CNC machining is one of the sought-after prototyping services for making one or multiple parts because it’s fast, repeatable, and consistently fulfills precise and high-tolerance specifications. HLH Proto offers a wide range of plastics and metals to make prototypes and end-use parts for communication technologies. Plus, the company has precise tools and machinery, including surface grinding machines, sink and wire EDMs, CNC mills, and lathes, to deliver flexible custom turning and milling solutions.

How communication technologies benefit from HLH Proto’s CNC machining services

CNC rapid prototyping delivers elaborate and precise components that can support the communication industry. Communication companies require high-quality parts when designing new equipment to avoid interruptions, equipment failure, poor video and audio transmission quality, and other issues. HLH Proto’s CNC machining ensures accurate parts and prototypes of telecommunications equipment, no matter how simple or complex.

Discover HLH’s solutions today.

Make HLH Proto your partner for CNC rapid prototyping. The company’s extensive experience in communication technologies makes it capable of understanding your industry’s ever-evolving landscape and demands. Its experts will work closely with you to meet and exceed your needs each time. Request a quote now to discover how HLH Proto can help your business.

[y2fear]

[INTERVIEW] HLH Rapid: rapid prototyping and high-mix, low-volume production under one roof

[biomedicool]

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a complex and rare congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped, and cannot effectively pump blood to the body so that the right side of the heart must pump blood to the lungs as well as the rest of the body.

Medication to prevent closure of the ductus arteriosus between the right and left sides, followed by either surgery or a heart transplant, is necessary.

HLHS affects a number of structures on the left side of the heart that do not fully develop, for example:

left ventricle is underdeveloped and too small.

mitral or aortic valves are not formed or are very small.

ascending aorta is underdeveloped or too small.

atrial septal defect often also present

Symptoms

Grayish-blue skin color (cyanosis)

Rapid, difficult breathing

Poor feeding

Cold hands and feet

Being unusually drowsy or inactive

Causes

HLHS occurs during foetal development and the cause is unknown. There is likely a genetic component, as HLHS has been shown to be heritable and associated with specific gene mutations (GJA1 (connexin 43), HAND1, NKX2.5, 10q, and 6q). One study found that babies with HLHS were more likely to be born in summer months, suggesting that seasonality and environmental factors play a role in causation. HLHS usually occurs as an isolated cardiac defect. 

Surgery

Multiple surgeries are needed to increase blood flow to the body and bypass the poorly functioning left side of the heart, but these do not cure HLHS, only help restore heart function. 

Norwood Procedure

done within the first 2 weeks of life

create a “new” aorta and connect it to the right ventricle

place a tube from either the aorta or the right ventricle to the vessels supplying the lungs (pulmonary arteries)

 right ventricle can pump blood to both the lungs and the rest of the body

Bi-directional Glenn Shunt Procedure

4 to 6 months of age

creates a direct connection between the pulmonary artery and superior vena cava (returning oxygen-poor blood from the upper part of the body to the heart)

reduces the work the right ventricle has to do by allowing blood returning from the body to flow directly to the lungs.

Fontan Procedure

18 months to 3 years of age

connect the pulmonary artery and  inferior vena cava, allowing the rest of the blood coming back from the body to go to the lungs

Once this procedure is complete, oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood no longer mix in the heart and an infant’s skin will no longer look bluish.

A heart transplant may still be needed, and medication will be taken for the rest of the infants’ lives to prevent their body from rejecting the new heart..

Complications

Without surgery, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is fatal, usually within the first few weeks of life. Most treated infants will have complications later in life. Some of the complications may include:

Tiring easily when participating in sports or other exercise

Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias)

Fluid buildup in the lungs, abdomen, legs and feet (edema)

Formation of blood clots that may lead to a pulmonary embolism or stroke

Developmental problems related to the brain and nervous system

Need for additional heart surgery or transplantation

[michael-jarda]

Beberapa hal yang membuatku khawatir dengan relawan Covid 19 di kampungku.

1. Di antara mereka, dua bulan sebelum pandemi ini booming, banyak yang meremehkan virus ini lewat postingan-postingan hoaks yang mereka konsumsi di media sosial;

2. Tiba-tiba menjadi orang yang paling paham soal virus ini, hingga kecurigaan berlebihan pada orang dari kelas pendidikan/status sosial rendah. Kalau mau adil, dari mereka (relawan) itu juga ada yang baru pulang awal Maret saat virus ini sudah menyebar, tanpa swakarantina;

3. Mayoritas minim pengetahuan, susah bedakan swakarantina dengan minta pemeriksaan pada dokter. Tadi kuuji dengan bertanya, kapan hasil SWAB yang positif rapid diumumkan. Mengejutkan malah tanya balik, "Apa itu tes swab atau PCR?";

4. Memandang orang yang baru pulang dari Pulau Jawa dengan sinis dan takut berlebihan. Waspada boleh saja, tapi tolong pikirkan kata-kata yang pas untuk memberi pemahamaman jauh kesan judge, untuk yang ngeyel tak mau periksa, coba peras lagi otak memikirkan edukasi efektif, sulit sih, tapi usaha tetap dong sampai tetes terakhir, lha kamu RELA-WAN;

5. Bekerja sama dengan ACAB dan Manusia Barak. HLH maaf, kalian harus berdaya dan bisa ajak tenaga kesehatan untuk sosialisasi;

6. .... (demi keutuhan, selebihnya silakan intros sendiri).

[indiahealthcure-blog]

Balloon Atrial Septostomy Treatment In India

Congenital Heart Defect is a condition, which includes a defect in the valves, arteries, walls, and veins of the heart in a newborn baby. This imperfection in heart structure can possibly decrease the blood circulation or make it stream in the wrong direction or get completely blocked. This is a rare disease and approximately 9 out of 1 thousand kids are born each year, with a poorly structured heart.

 Kinds of well-known Congenital Heart Blame

 Coarctation of aorta

 Aorta is the main and biggest blood vessel that transports the blood from the heart to several parts of the body. In the Coarctation of the aorta, a section of aorta remains constricted or narrow, at birth. It becomes difficult for the heart to pump blood out via the aorta. This heart problem is found in folk with a particular genetic disorder such as Turner syndrome.

 Symptoms

 The curved part of aorta points upwards to the head and straight part points downwards. Coarctation of the aorta can occur anywhere within the vessel. However, its tendency to happen at the top or aortic arch (C-shaped curve) is more. This makes it hard for blood to go out, so the blood pressure (BP), before the narrowed segment is high, and after the constricted part, is low.

 Headaches from high blood pressure (HBP)

Camps in legs

Cold legs or feet

Abnormal heart sounds

Poor weight gain in children because of difficulty in feeding

Fainting or dizziness

Symptoms happen only when the narrowing is severe in the aorta.

Treatment

The narrow section is repaired before the kids' age turns 10. It can be repaired via balloon angioplasty or open-heart surgery.

 Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

 'Hypoplastic' means 'underdeveloped'. In Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) the heart's left side includes the left ventricle, aortic valve, mitral valve, and aorta don't get developed in the fetus. A healthy heart has 2 ventricles. The right ventricle pumps blood towards the lungs to get oxygenated, whereas the left ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood to the other sections of the body.

In HLHS, the left ventricle is very little to pump blood effectively. Ordinarily, there is a hole in the wall that divides the right ventricle and left ventricle.

Symptoms

In the womb, the fetus receives oxygen from the mother's circulation through the placenta. In a couple of days, after birth, the Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome symptoms can be seen. This happens because the placenta is disconnected and the newborn has to rely on its own heart for oxygenated blood circulation.

Rapid heartbeat (RHB)

Rapid breathing

Cool, clammy and pale skin

Blue color lips and face

Weak pulses in arms and legs (because of poor circulation)

 Treatment

The infant with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, at birth, will be given an IV (intravenous) to enhance bloodstream. A series of heart surgeries are performed to reroute the blood in the right ventricle. The right side will perform the functions of both ventricles. Even if possible, heart transplant surgery can be performed to provide the infant with a well-functioning heart.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

In the womb, ductus arteriosus permits the blood to evade the lungs of the child. After birth as soon as the child starts to breathe, the responsibility of ductus arteriosus gets concluded and it shuts down automatically, in some days. In certain cases, ductus arteriosus remains open and can cause abnormal blood circulation. This condition is called a PDA. The cause of Patent Ductus Arteriosus is still unknown.

Symptoms

 Shortness of breath or rapid breathing

Sweating with playing or crying

Fast heart rate

Tire out easily

Poor eating & poor development

 Treatment

Patent Ductus Arteriosus treatment focuses on the closing ductus arteriosus to prevent complications. Closing of Patent Ductus Arteriosus is done either via medication, catheter, or surgery.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A group of four heart defects at birth is called Tetralogy of Fallot. The stream of blood gets deteriorated, due to these defects causing a reduction in oxygen level.

The four defects are -

1. Ventricular septal defect - There is a hole in the muscle wall between the left and right sides of the heart.

2. Pulmonary valve stenosis - It is the narrowing of large blood vessel entrance.

3. Over-riding aorta - Basically, aorta function starts from the left ventricle but in the Tetralogy condition, it begins from the center of the heart, just over the hole between 2 sides.

4. Right ventricular hypertrophy - Due to the upper 3 heart defects the right side has to overwork, so the heart muscle on that side gets developed.

Symptoms

 Bluish tint on the lips, fingernails, and skin

The tint darkens during activities such as crying

Abnormal heart murmur

While feeding the baby gets tired easily, which hinders the growth

Fingertips have an abnormal rounded shape

 Treatment

Open heart surgery is applied to repair the defects of the Tetralogy of Fallot. The pediatric cardiologists continue to check the baby regularly, even after surgery. Occasionally, the kid may need additional surgery, as they grow up because sudden complications may evolve.

 Transposition of great arteries (TGA)

Basically, in normal conditions, the blood from the heart goes to the lungs to get oxygenated through the pulmonary artery. After it comes back the aorta pumps the oxygenated blood via the body. In TGA, the blood comes to the heart but is pumped out directly without going towards the lungs for getting oxygenated.

Symptoms

 The child has bluish-colored skin

Rapid heart rate and breathing

 Treatment

The child receives intravenous medication, shortly after birth. If a hole is present in the hearts mid-wall then a hole will be made surgically. This permits the oxygen to mix with blood that is pumped out. The balloon atrial septostomy technique is used. Although this is a temporary treatment the child will require open-heart surgery called arterial switch operation within four weeks after birth, to correct the defect.

[tierannical]

The Big Sick.

I finally saw this movie. I knew it would parallel my recent journey with HLH - but oh my god I could not have been prepared for just how much. The slight symptoms followed by a rapid decline. The familial confusion on how to handle it, trying to deal with social interactions afterward and just not finding it worth my energy all the time. Physical rehab, being proud for the small things like peeling a damn orange. My sister started crying so hard when she heard Staph Aureus because I just fought that off. Just. Watching these people go through all this pain and fear on screen so soon after we just went through it in real life. I wish I could get in touch with the real life couple this is based off of in order to tell them how much it means to see my struggle reflected in popular culture. I’ve never really seen representations of things like my ulcerative colitis - my poop disease isn’t very dramatic or pretty though, so I doubt I ever will. But HLH was traumatic. There was a night where everyone thought I would die, and I woke up just in time. And for mine, that night was the same as my sister’s wedding, so it was like. Super dramatic. I joke that it should be a movie, and, well, Hollywood obviously agreed. Of course I’m not dating a Pakistani guy whose family would disown him for dating me, and Grant and I were in a fairly stable spot when I went into the hospital. But the first “I love you” was said in a hospital room. And my boyfriend did think he’d lose me at a few months in. And we did almost break up because I was just overwhelmed afterwards - which was similar to how Emily was in the movie. I don’t know. It’s just bizarre. I left the theater, went into the bathroom, and just cried. I feel better now, but it was a lot to take in. I know this is kinda just rambling at this point, but I’m so glad this movie was made. Please support it if you have the means to. My story and the stories of those who have struggled deserve to be told and heard. And not just in a pity olympics way. It can be a romantic comedy, it can have humor because real life is like that. Not everything is all fun or all drama. It was 8 months of my life in and out of hospitals, there have been good and bad moments. And it's okay to do that - to have it be dynamic, just like real life. It means so much to see that and for the movie to be a success. To hear the audience laughing and crying at the struggles I've lived through. To know able bodied people are finding truth in this as well. It’s a wonderful story that shows part of my life which I never expected to see on the big screen reflected back at me.

[freeminimaps]

HLH Prototypes Co LTD

HLH Prototypes Co LTD is a bespoke rapid prototype and rapid low-volume manufacturing solution provider. We are a Chinese prototyping company who can deliver with the speed and quality your project deserves. We provide rapid part manufacturing solutions via core services like 3D printing, CNC machining, rapid tooling, rapid injection molding, vacuum casting (urethane), and sheet metal work.

We provide services for one-man inventors, fortune 500 companies, and everyone in between. Our customer base is diverse, but our focus is servicing larger companies who have multiple projects yearly that require a rapid manufacturing partner. We offer a western manufacturing experience in China.

HLH Prototypes Co LTD was originally published on Business directory and remarkable travel blog!

[hlhrapidlimited]

Factors to Consider When Choosing Materials with CNC Rapid Prototyping

In this article, factors to consider in CNC Rapid Prototyping will be outlined to further assist businesses make the best decision for all the project needs.

When working on a new product, CNC fast prototyping is an excellent approach to quickly turn your ideas into actual products. This approach is popular among designers and engineers due to its precision, speed, and flexibility. However, one of the most important considerations you will have to make is which material to use for your prototype.

The material you choose might have a significant impact on the quality of your prototype.

1. What’s the Prototype For?

Before you begin selecting materials, you must first determine exactly what your prototype will be used for. Is it intended to be an operational version that can withstand pressure and testing, or is it only a visual model to showcase the design? The aim of your prototype will influence your material selection.

Working Prototypes: If your prototype needs to function like the final product, you’ll need strong, durable materials like aluminum or steel.

Visual Prototypes: If the prototype is just for looks, materials like ABS plastic or acrylic, which are easy to machine and look good, might be better.

2. How the Material Performs

Think about how the material will perform in your prototype. Here are some key factors:

Choosing materials that match your prototype’s needs will help ensure it works well in real life.

3.Ease of Machining and Cost

Not all materials are easy to machine, and this can affect both the quality of your prototype and how much it costs to make.

Ease of Machining: Some materials, like aluminum, are easy to work with and can be cut precisely with a smooth finish. Others, like harder metals or brittle plastics, might be more difficult to machine, which can increase costs and time.

Cost: Materials can vary greatly in price. While metals like titanium offer great performance, they are more expensive than alternatives like aluminum or plastic. Balancing cost with your project’s needs is crucial, especially if you’re on a budget.

4.Surface Finish and Post-Processing

The surface finish is especially important if your prototype needs to look good or fit together with other parts precisely.

Surface Finishing Requirements:  Some materials, such as acrylic or aluminium, can have an appealing surface directly off the CNC machine. Others may require further effort, such as sanding, polishing, or coating, to appear their finest.

Post-processing: Consider how the material will respond to subsequent treatments. Some materials may stretch or weaken during finishing operations, while others may improve with further stages.

5.Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Today, sustainability is more important than ever. When choosing materials, think about their environmental impact.

Recyclability: Using recyclable materials like aluminum and steel can help reduce waste and make your project more eco-friendly.

Material Source: Consider where the materials come from. Are they renewable, or do they require a lot of energy to produce? Choosing sustainable materials can help lower the environmental impact of your project.

6.Availability of Materials

Finally, think about how easy it is to get the materials you want. Some special materials might take longer to source or might not be readily available, which could slow down your project. Choosing materials that are easy to get can help keep your project on track.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right material is an important aspect of successful CNC fast prototyping. You could contribute to your project succeed by making sound choices based on the purpose of your prototype, the material's performance, ease of machining, cost, surface polish, environmental effect, and availability. Whether you're making an actual product or a visual mockup, choosing the correct material helps guarantee that your prototype accomplishes precisely what you want it to do.

[crimsonpublishers-pediatrics]

First Application of CVVHDF, Plasmapheresis and "Cytosorb Absorber” to Solve a Pediatric Haemophagocitic Histyocitosis Case-Crimson Publishers

First Application of CVVHDF, Plasmapheresis and "Cytosorb Absorber” to Solve a Pediatric Haemophagocitic Histyocitosis Case by Milella L in Research in Pediatrics & Neonatology

Hematologic filtration techniques increased very quickly in interest and application as adiuvant treatment for systemic Hyper inflammatory conditions. "High Level” mortality conditions as Septic Shock and Sepsis are still highly present if we consider the continuous therapeutical progress.

This is the clinical-therapeutic report of a female patient observed in September 2016, aged 4 ,affected by HLH secondary to bacterial infection ; the patient also developed a secondary SDR with abnormal us macrophagic activation during septic shock and sepsis with MOF evidence status. The patient received mechanical controlled ventilation, strong cardiovascular drugs support, increase of volemia , CRRT, CVVHDF, intermittent plasmapheresis; a "Cytosorb Absorber” was added to the plasmapheresis circuit.

There was no Ethical Committee consent and the use of "Cytosorb”, not approved for pediatrics weighting less than 40kgs, has been done in ”Emminentia Mortis”. We observed, after the first 12 hours of Conventional Hemodiafiltration plus Cytosorb application, a very rapid improvement of cardiovascular and respiratory patterns, a rapid decrease of hyperammonemia, improvement of renal and hepatic functionality, a quick decrease of inflammatory markers. The hemodiafiltration was continued, Cytosorb was added with a 24 hrs interval and Plasmapheresis treatment was continued. In a few days there was a normalization of clinical condition with resolution of sepsis and MOF.

Conclusion: There is a very little experience in the use of pediatric purification techniques especially in the use of Cytosorb. This is the first pediatric treatment with Hemodiafiltration, Plasmapheresis and Cytosorb in a case of a confirmed Hamofagocytic Histiocytosis disease. Further studies and informations are required.

https://crimsonpublishers.com/rpn/fulltext/RPN.000510.php

[southeastasianists]

On a hot and steamy April morning in 1967, Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew cruised Phnom Penh’s wide, leafy boulevards in a convertible Mercedes. His chaperone was Cambodia’s late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, at that time the country’s head of state. The two young leaders drank in the scenes before them: buttercup yellow colonial villas and state buildings; the gilded spires of pagodas; and the minimalist, jagged lines of hundreds of bold new buildings designed as part of the ‘new Khmer architecture’ movement. Struck by what he saw, the Singaporean Prime Minister turned to his host and mused: “I hope, one day, my city will look like this.”

The ‘new Khmer’ group of young architects had been commissioned by Sihanouk to lay out a brand new ‘modern city’ of grand, brutalist stadiums, sweeping university campuses, theatres and other remarkable civic spaces. They were spearheaded by Vann Molyvann who, in his role as Cambodia’s head of public works and state architect, designed more than 100 modernist buildings in just 13 years, most of them in Phnom Penh.

Molyvann and his peers also pioneered Cambodia’s first attempt at public housing. Between 1953 and 1970, Phnom Penh’s population tripled from 370,000 to a million, prompting the construction of the Bassac River Front, a complex made up of the White Building (three low-rent apartment blocks that tenants could lease for ten years and then own) and an Athletes’ Village. A further development, dubbed the 100 Houses project, was built near the city’s international airport.

Yet Lee Kuan Yew’s words proved bittersweet, and Cambodia’s first attempt at social housing was tragically short-lived. The capital was emptied of its people by the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime in 1975 and, just over 40 years later, Cambodia is now looking to Singapore as a model of exemplary urban planning and affordable housing.

After struggling through a civil war that lasted decades, the past 20 years have brought rapid economic and structural development to Cambodia. Phnom Penh’s skyline is now awash with cranes, half-built condominiums and towers swathed in green safety nets. Last year was a record year for construction, with a total of $8.5 billion worth of projects approved by the government.  With inflation hovering at 3.4%, and an annual GDP growth of 7%, investment continues to pour into Cambodia, where a growing middle class is emerging.

Despite such economic optimism, the United Nations Development Programme estimates that 13.5% of Cambodians still live below the poverty line. Income disparity between the urban rich and rural poor persists and, as a consequence, over the past five years Cambodia has witnessed a wave of rural-to-urban migration. In 2013, the Cambodia Intercensal Population Survey identified an estimated 24.5% of the national population as rural-urban migrants. Phnom Penh’s population nearly doubled in the first decade of the 21st century to 1.5 million, according to the most recent census in 2012, yet adequate infrastructure and affordable housing are still desperately lacking.

According to the government’s 2014 National Housing Policy, by 2030 Cambodia’s population of 15.5 million will need an extra 1.1m houses to meet demand. Yet the Christian global housing charity Habitat for Humanity Cambodia (HFHC) projects the demand at almost ten times that figure. In a 2015 report, the organisation estimated that 9.8m homes are needed in Cambodia, that 20% of the population live in slums and that the housing deficit hovers at about 60%. And yet the value of property and land in Cambodia’s commercial centres only continues to skyrocket.

Even though Phnom Penh appears to be facing an affordable housing crisis, a government-funded social housing system such as Molyvann’s has not been seen again. Last October, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and HFHC signed an agreement supporting a National Public Housing Policy to address housing for low-income families, yet details remain vague and the government seems to be dragging its feet. When Southeast Asia Globe contacted Chea Sophara, the minister of land management, urban planning and construction, he declined an interview but said the policy would “very soon be released”.

In the past year, however, several developers have stepped in with plans to change things. One such businessman is condominium tycoon Rithy Sear, who last month broke ground on a $100m low-income housing development on the city’s southern fringes. In November, Sear’s company WorldBridge Land, together with Singapore-based construction company Straits Construction Group, signed an MoU on affordable housing with the government. The development, consisting of 2,296 two-storey townhouses, is about 18km south of the capital in the city of Takhmao. There’s also CamHomes, a real estate agency set up by Singaporean developer HLH Group, which in June unveiled plans for its D’Seaview mixed-development project in the coastal city of Sihanoukville. The project’s 735 residential units will reportedly be geared toward lower- to middle-income earners. And near Boeung Trabek Plaza in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district, the proposed Sino Plaza – a luxury condo and retail development by Cambodia Natural Lucky Real Estate  – will reportedly sell 10% of its units below the market rate using a “non-open market” ballot system. Open to families who earn less than $2,000 a month, entry into the ballot would need to be qualified by a family income statement and a pre-approved bank loan, the company stated in its self-published report on affordable housing.

Sear ambitiously expects his own project to be completed by the end of this year. The homes will cost $20,000-25,000 and are initially aimed at low-income civil servants such as soldiers, teachers and police but would also be opened up to “all families earning less than $500 a month”, he told Southeast Asia Globe in his Phnom Penh head office, its walls studded with framed photographs of the property magnate shaking hands with various political figures and billionaires.

Sear is a slick operator and talks at rapid-fire pace, his words punctuated by relentless iPhone alerts. The Worldbridge chairman found early success in logistics and freight forwarding before expanding into property and e-commerce. His affordable housing investment, he said, is a passion project, inspired by a trip to Chiang Mai ten years ago where he learned more about then-President Thaksin Shinawatra’s housing subsidies. “I’m a developer, so I know more than anyone how out of reach home [ownership] has become for many. It’s just up and up here [in Cambodia], month by month. [Lower-income earners] have no chance. The more the country develops, the wider the gap between rich and poor.”

Architects Pen Sereypagna (above) and Virak Roeun (below) believe Phnom Penh's iconic White Building (pictured in its current state above)could be restored into government-funded social housing Architects Pen Sereypagna (above) and Virak Roeun (below) believe Phnom Penh’s iconic White Building (pictured in its current state above) could be restored into government-funded social housing. Photo: Sam Jam In late February, Worldbridge began filling in soil at the Takhmao site and opened a sales office. The vetting process for would-be buyers will be thorough, Sear said, with 20 criteria needing to be met to be considered. “I need to make sure the people who need this get it,” he added. Buyers would own their unit freehold but would not be able to rent or sell it for a five-year period.

Sear said his affordable housing projects would become “satellite communities” with gardens, markets, schools and clinics, much like Singapore’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) system developed by Lee Kuan Yew, which provides temporary 99-year leaseholds that more than 80% of Singaporeans live in. While Sear admires the city-state’s public housing system, widely regarded as Asia’s most successful, it is a model he believes cannot yet be replicated in Cambodia. “In Cambodian culture, ownership is king; they buy everything to pass on through the generations,” he said.

Ho Kong Chong from the National University of Singapore’s sociology department agrees that Singapore’s system is unique, but for different reasons. “Within the Singaporean HDB owner’s 90-odd year tenure, they can buy and sell the flat in the market, so actually it’s a public housing system with market characteristics. The other point is that the government can take back these blocks for redevelopment and the owner is given preference to then buy into newer estates. For such a system to work there must be enough public housing units to move around, so I don’t know if Cambodia could follow such a model.”

Sear maintains his motivation for building affordable housing loops back into “branding and good CSR”, but the big question is whether such projects can help spur a large-scale, government-funded social housing system.

“I would really like to see the government [pioneer] such a thing, but they have no money,” Sear said. “In the future they may get to that stage and have land available for private developers to develop into public housing projects, but in this case I have invested completely in the land.” He added that, at the very least, government assistance in building necessary infrastructure such as roads, water supply and sewage systems is critical to affordable housing projects. Further government subsidies, such as taxation relief on imported construction materials or free construction permits, could help keep unit prices low.

Worldbridge started approaching local and commercial banks for financial support for buyers, such as 8% interest rates and long-term repayment plans of 15-20 years. Sear said he was hopeful of partnering with a local bank but had so far been knocked back. “Frankly speaking, we need to support each other. I really hope they come to the table… but so far they’re afraid they won’t be able to get payment back from the buyers,” he said. Cambodia’s largest commercial bank, Acleda, expressed interest and in March was still working on terms and conditions.

However, Ross Wheble, country manager for independent real estate consultancy Knight Frank, warned that the onus should not fall on private banks to support affordable housing. “Interest rates in Cambodia are high, and the spread between fixed deposit rates and borrowing rates is significant. More competitive interest rates would benefit the whole industry and not just low-income borrowers, but this is a factor of market forces.

“Particularly for city centre projects, it is just not feasible for private developers to construct affordable housing unless there is some form of incentive,” Wheble said, adding that the government’s urban planning had lacked transparency.

“In addition to impacting the liveability of a city and the day-to-day lives of its population, [loosely regulated urban planning] also deters foreign investment,” he said.

For young Cambodian architect Virak Roeun, the innovative designs of the ‘new Khmer’ ’60s modernists were perfect examples of smart urban living. “Architecture is about how we live in a space. From most points in the Bassac buildings you could see and talk to your neighbours. In my new apartment now, the only time I see another person is in the lift,” he said.

Pen Sereypagna, another young architect and the manager of the Vann Molyvann Project, believes Sear has chosen a clever location for his project, particularly as a new highway will soon be finished linking the city centre to the south. “It’s interesting because in Molyvann’s book, Khmer Cities, he proposed extending the city to the south due to where flood plains were positioned in the city.  Overall, I think this project could be really great for Phnom Penh.”

Sereypagna thinks the government’s public housing policy should also consider restoring older buildings and assisting low-income communities in the city centre. “The government should implement projects that help these communities live more sustainably – teach them about waste management,” he said. After years of uncertainty over the White Building’s future, last year the government finally announced Japanese development company Arakawa would forge ahead with an $80m redevelopment of the famous slum building, with the 500 families living there being offered resettlement packages or apartments in the new complex upon completion in four years.

Chong, from the National University of Singapore, agrees that there are alternatives to building brand new social housing developments, particularly in developing countries. “Subsidising water and electricity, road works and drainage works are all things a government can do in poorer countries. Housing provision itself is a very expensive business – if you provide amenities to housing settlements that are already in place, you can actually improve conditions far more successfully… There is a whole spectrum of options to improve housing which doesn’t have to follow the Singapore model.”

[hlhproto]

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A great way to make physical models

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1800W ELectric Infrared Strip Patio Heater

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[thesunshinereporter]

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[thealphareporter]

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